Hard Enough

Chapter 108: Close call

A day after Forrest, Ash, and Misty had left, the reporters descended on the Gym.

Gym Leader Brock, it's been suggested that you have disrupted a police investigation, how do you respond to this? Was your brother a Team Rocket Member in disguise? How long can you remain as Gym Leader with ethics like this? Where is the Gym going in the future?

I stared them all down. Id known this was necessary and when Rachel had tentatively approached me about the need to have a press release Id had to bend my neck into a nod.

This was just part of the shitty situation that I would have to work through. This was about protecting Forrest. Lawrence had come out after Id accepted the need to say something. His advice? Say as little as possible and give nothing of our intentions away.

I flexed my aura in a manner that had a cold feeling sweep through the crowd of reporters and silence them. I nodded as if theyd played nice and fallen quiet for me to talk. First of all, good morning and thank you for coming out today. Over the previous few days a situation in my family has emerged that is difficult to parse. The sequence of events have been muddied and now a number of allegations, which I can assure you are fanciful to the extreme have emerged. The focus of these rumours, my younger sibling is still a minor under Indigo law and this adds further difficulty to the events. It has however highlighted a need for them to spend time away from the Gym to clear his head.

I have done this to shield them from the harassment that sometimes occurs when overzealous reporters or individuals decide to go over the accepted line of a persons privacy. My family has had many invasions of our privacy in the past. I gave a pointed look to each and everyone of the reporters as though theyd been the ones to try talking with some of my youngest siblings.

I cannot fault them for what occurred as they were innocent. Due to police mishandling of the situation and the subsequent events, they felt it best to remove themselves from a potentially toxic social environment. I understand that people are spreading salacious and sometimes outright false rumours about the Gym and my own family. Lawrence Wright will be in contact with many individuals as the Pewter Gym and my family will not stand for our image being tarnished like this. The Gym will continue to take on challengers and no changes in the operations will be occurring. We hold ourselves to a high standard at the gym and our record speaks for itself. This is not the first time someone has tried to degenerate us. Were tough though, as Rock type trainers we know the need for a strong exterior.

I nodded to the crowd of reports. Thank you there will be no more questions.

Gym Leader Brock! A few people surged forwards only for me to ignore them and move back into the Gym. Lawrence stayed behind with an evil glint in his eyes as he pressed for names and sources of rumours with more than a few reporters clamming up. Rachel and a few interns that now worked for Lawrence flitted through the crowd reminding them precisely what they could and could not print. They were even given it in writing.

I turned my attention back to the Gym and exhaled away the tension. That was just the start of it in truth. The first wave to roll in. I would leave it to Rachel and Lawrence to handle.

I just had to handle running the Gym.

A much tougher task I found. Yesterday Id been able to glide along on inertia. When Id stopped though I found myself merely going through the motions as I noticed all the spots I would have to reorganise jobs around Forrest and his departure.

It left me distracted and annoyed. People earned their gym badges through wider, or much, much more narrow margins throughout the morning. It got to the point that Rocko approached me. You sure youre up for this man? he indicated into the arena and the oncoming challenger for the Ace match.

I played with the pokeball and sighed. ... I cant say that Im feeling on top of the world right now, but thats life as a Gym Leader sometimes, I said with splayed hands.

Rocko grimaced. Yeah, it aint all glamorous magazines and prestige. Just seems this year has been rougher than usual.

I nodded in agreement. Well, at the end of the day it doesnt really matter win or lose, I said, trying to let myself relax as I twisted my pokeball around.

Hmmm yeah, I suppose. he said, scratching at his chin. I still feel like theres too much going on, you know?

Well weve got it handled for now. And we can adjust for the future.

Rocko watched me for a moment. How much do you believe that? Were under a lot more pressure and with people probing at you more often these days he licked his lips. I think we might need to adjust things now. Youre taking on too much work.

I chewed my lip unsure how to answer that. I ended up not answering at all as Rachel introduced the challenger for todays Ace match up, and likely Will plant, Talia.

I stalked out a moment later with the crowd cheering my name. I tried to feel the moment but I found myself rather annoyed by it rather than enjoying it like I should have.

I leapt across the divide to the podium and locked eyes with Talia who grinned in delight raising a pokeball in readiness. I grunted and gave a nod to Jackson.

Go Onix! I shouted, releasing my pokemon only to grimace as I realised straight away that Id tossed the pokeball too far. He was easily within striking distance of the Primeape that had just been revealed.

Trainer Talia grinned at me, a sharpness entering her gaze that let me know she knew exactly what to do with my error.

Begin! announced Jackson as his flags dropped.

Primeape! Use Close Combat!

Protect! I said, already on the back foot and knowing this was going to be a tough fight. Primeape hammered into the shell that was emitted from Onix but that wouldnt last long.

Use Swagger! called Talia.

I frowned. That was a good move for boosting power certainly, but it had a lot of downsides for controlling pokemon. Her Primeape stopped beating on the protective shell and strutted left and right while jerking his head back and forth in an exaggerated manner. Then it snapped its head around and glowered as some people in the crowd laughed.

PRRRRRRRIIIIIIMMMMMMEEEE APE! it screeched before locking eyes with Onix as the protective shell came down.

Dig! I said making my pokemon throw itself into the ground. Primeape threw itself where my pokemon had been before stopping and looking around in confusion. Then it screamed and raised a foot before smashing it into the ground. The ground cratered, and Onix was blasted up out of the ground with a heavy groan.

I had no idea what move that was. Thrash perhaps? It seemed stronger but that might just be a testament to this particular Primeape. Before Onix could even land Primeape leapt up into the are and started hammering his fists into my pokemons face.

I cursed and whipped out my pokeball to recall my now knocked out pokemon before it could be brutalised any further. The flag raised in the direction of Talia and Jackson called her victory. Primeape landed and growled looking around for another opponent before it locked eyes with Jackson who tensed up behind his barrier as it marched towards him.

He kept his eyes vaguely on the pokemon but not staring into its eyes though which it would perceive as a challenge.

I readied another pokeball and tossed it out only to curse myself. I would have just let the potential foul play out. If Talia couldnt control her pokemon it would have been recalled and put out of the fight. Talia herself relaxed even as Zephyr, my Noctowl, took to the field, or rather soared above it.

Jackson relaxed a little and I beat myself up over thinking about leaving him in even potential danger. Urgh I was really messing things up lately wasnt I? How could I think like that?

Primeape! That birds looking down on you! Use Thunderbolt! Talia said more than happy to take my distraction and run with it.

I grimaced. Zephyr, dive and use Steel Wing! Across from me Primeape lit up like he was going Super Saiyan as lightning shot off him leaving his hair even more spiked up as it attacked.

Zephyr dove and sunk his metal sheen wings into the ground allowing them to reduce the impact of the ability. Primeape charged across the gap screaming its name and practically frothing at the mouth.

Hypnosis, I said, making Zephyr lock eyes with the oncoming pokemon. Primeape jerked mid stride and skidded as it fell asleep. Its momentum saw it carried forward and it landed practically at my pokemons feet.

I glanced up to see if Talia wanted to withdraw it only for her to smirk. Use Thunderbolt, she said.

Primeapes head snapped up and it glared at Zephyr as it blasted him with another lightning bolt, this caught us both off guard and my pokemon was thrown back by the powerful lightning attack.

Zephyr took a tumble before righting himself and glaring at the pokemon that was stomping and shaking its head. A sleep resistance? I said aloud.

Talia shrugged her shoulders, not playing into the trope of revealing anything much to my grudging approval.

I clicked my tongue. Zephyr, return. I selected another pokeball and tossed out my next pokemon and hopefully my answer to this rampaging pokemon. Go Selene!

This time I made sure to give her enough room to make it much harder on Primeape getting close. Talia clicked her tongue as she assessed Primeape. Stomping Tantrum, she ordered, giving me a name for the move hed used earlier on Onix while underground.

Moon Blast, I replied with.

Selene charged up a pink orb and launched it at Primeape while Primeape stomped his feet causing the ground to shatter even more and dust to fly up into the air and make visibility poor, sort of like a sandstorm.

A screech of pain let me know Id landed the hit but the rampaging growls that followed also told me that Primeape was very much not down for the count.

Psychic, cleared the field. In front of me, Selenes eyes glowed and the dust was swept from the field as though a giant had swung his fist. Talia and Primeape were both startled by the sudden visibility and I grinned. Psychic, I ordered again. This time resulting in Primeape lifting up and slamming into the ground as my pokemon ruthlessly hammered the rage pokemon.

I made a gesture and Selene stopped using Primeape like a chew toy. The angry ape still stood up and adopted a fighting pose, albeit one that wasnt very threatening as it trembled and quaked.

I hardened myself to order Selene to continue only to be pleasantly surprised when Talia returned her pokemon. I withdraw him; hes going to be too injured.

I'm surprised you did that with how notorious that pokemon can be.

Talia snorted. I might have taught him the Wrath fist style of fighting but that doesnt mean I dont pull him up. Hes not going to get stronger from killing himself or being killed after all.

I nodded, pleased that she was a caring trainer. She might have known how to use my concern earlier for maximum effect, but that and this were, in truth, two different situations.

She grinned as she selected another pokeball. Lets go Blastoise! she said, sending out a powerful-looking specimen. The crowd cheered for the evolved starter and the pokemon adjusted its water cannons onto my pokemon.

Surf! said Talia, once more eager to get things started before I had any time to set up. A wave rose and began to barrel forwards with Blastoise riding in the middle of the wave like a swimmer rather than how most would on top of the wave.

Psychic! I countered. The entire wave shuddered and crashed as Selene gutted its momentum. Blastoise grinned as he continued forward.

Rapid Spin! ordered Talia as her pokemon tucked its arms and legs into his shell and water shot out like whips. It raced in at Selene and I clicked my tongue.

Teleport! I said hoping I had enough time only to click my tongue as I realised I should have used Protect or something else. Selene got away, but she appeared on the other side with a weak wobble that let me know shed been hit before doing so.

She swung around with a glower and I decided to pull her back. Return Selene, I said.

A flag went up and I worked my jaw considering who I should pick to answer this pokemon. While I did so I took in the state of the battlefield. It was a wreck. There was loose rock everywhere and it would make normal running attacks a nightmare for my heavier pokemon. Also with Blastoise ending up on my side of the field, there was going to be some issues with positioning when I released my next pokemon.

Go Sanchez! I shouted. My pokemon appeared with his usual bombastic cry as he squared up against Blastoise.

Talia clicked her tongue though and returned her pokemon before tossing out a Victreebel right in the middle of the field and now arguably much closer to my Golem than I would have liked.

Thunder, I said, fully expecting her to have a reply but still wanting to test her response.

Vine Whip! she countered, her pokemons large vines shooting into the ground.

Sanchez! Leap to the side! I shouted as I recognised the two-sided nature of the move shed just used. It could be used for defence and also for Two vines shot out of the ground where Sanchez had been standing even as the electricity died off from Sanchezs attack.

I clicked my tongue. I really needed a strong fire or flying type right now to answer this and Sanchez wasnt going to be a good call.

Return! I said, hating that I was having to use my recalls so much during this match. Go Bertha! I might not have a perfect option with Zephyr being tired from his earlier beat down but I did have another option.

Talia hadnt been idle however as shed ordered a Sunny Day! That let me know what she intended to do.

Solar Beam! was the next command out of her mouth like Id expected it to be.

Match it with Ice Beam! I said, confident in my pokemon. Bertha locked herself in with a twist of her feet and from in front of her a large blue beam was shot forward where it was met by a Solar Beam from Talias Victreebel. Both attacks locked in an energy clash as both pokemon tried to power through each other. For a moment I felt my heart clench as the tug of war of energy ticked towards Bertha.

FIGHT THROUGH! I shouted in support. Bertha took a step forward rather than backing off and her beam stopped faltering and instead regained ground. A second later it cut off in time with Solar Beam leaving both Victreebel and Bertha heaving in lungfuls of air.

Synthesis, said Talia, making me grimace. With Sunny Day in play shed get a lot more out of that with making her pokemon recover its energy.

Focus, I said to Bertha. She relaxed herself and glanced back at me, the command more about readying her for my next command than any actual move. I swallowed, ready to roll the dice again.

I locked eyes with Talia and she grinned, confident in her ability to power through this time.

Solar Beam! she said.

Drop to your belly! Then Ice Beam! I said. Bertha didnt hesitate to drop on her stomach like she was flopping into a mud pit then she tilted her head and fired her Ice Beam straight at Victreebel before the other pokemon could readjust where it was aiming. The Solar Beam roared straight over my prone pokemon even as the Ice Beam nailed the other pokemon.

Yes! I said, pumping my fist as Victreebel was frozen in place.

Talia clicked her tongue and returned her pokemon after seeing that it technically could still fight but shed be putting it in danger. Youll be back soon buddy, she said as she eyed the Sunny Day that had gotten slightly smaller. It would fade soon but for now it was still in play.

Go Camerupt! said Talia revealing another pokemon. I hummed. Camerupt, Blastoise, Primeape, and Victreebel. This girl had the makings of a very balanced and powerful team.

Return! I said. I chewed my lip and considered what I had as an answer to Camerupt. Id used Zephyr, Onix, Selene, Bertha, and Sanchez, meaning whoever I used now would be my last pokemon for this match. I glanced down at the broken field and felt like cursing. Bertha wouldnt be able to use her One hit moves as well with the state of the field If I sent out Titan hed be able to make good use of the field But then again, so would Sanchez.

I decided to use my more bombastic pokemon and leave myself some options. Go Sanchez! I said returning him to the field where he grinned in delight.

Go Go GO! he shouted.

Eruption! commanded Talia with a vicious grin. The Sunny day was faltering just as her Camerupt took a heavy step forward and lava blasted from the volcano in his back and splattered around the field. Lots of it began to fall on Sanchez however.

I was almost about to order him to dig when I spotted the oncoming lava that was sweeping out of Camerupt to make the field much more dangerous to dig through. He could do it, it would just hurt him.

Roll to the side and use Stone Edge to defend! I said making my pokemon dodge before landing on one knee and hurling rocks into the sky. He started blasting away like an AA gun stopping oncoming missiles rather than mere rocks.

Sunny Day! said Talia as her follow-up move.

Stone Edge on the attack! I said, more than happy enough to go on the offensive. Camerupt merely took the hits with a harsh call, it stumbled on the still hot ground but otherwise snorted and held its ground.

Return! said Talia, making me grit my teeth. How many of those had she used already? I ran it back in my mind. I was on four and she must be the same. She sent out her Victreebel and for a moment I was confused before I saw the ice melt on top of the much hotter ground that her Camerupt had set up.

She grinned at me and I had to nod in acknowledgement. It was a good move.

Stone Edge! I said. Acknowledging it as a good move didnt stop me from attacking her while she was still weak though. Shed more than proved that she was willing to not hold back. I couldnt afford to do the same.

The rocks slammed into the other pokemon, thankfully she wasnt resistant to it with Rock not being as weak as Electric attacks. I half considered it before reminding myself that even without the Vine Whip trick shed still be resistant to electric attacks.

Solar Beam! she said.

Dig, With the ground slightly cooled down I had no issue making my pokemon leap into the earth to evade the attack. When he came up he did so slightly glowing but otherwise not hurt.

Stone Edge!

Synthesis! she replied with, making good use of the Sunny Day.

Stealth Rock, I said, reminding myself that I needed to play to Sanchezs strengths. I had room to breathe and I needed to make the most of that. Talia swore and I grinned. Oh? So she had been trying to stop me from setting up like I usually might? Interesting.

Solar Beam! she said again. Only for my response to lead to Sanchez getting closer. This time he anticipated my order and as he rose out of the Dig he lashed out with some glowing red rocks that hit Victreebel and caused it to squeal in more pain.

Urgh! Victreebel quick! Use Vine Whip to wrap him up! Dont let him get away!

Sanchez get out of there with another Dig! Sanchez leapt away evading the attak.

Synthesis one last time! Talia said as she glanced up at the fading Sunny Day.

I grimaced. She was really going to drag this out wasnt she? Stealth Rock again! Then again that suited me more than her.

Victreebel Sunny Day! she said as I got one more Stealth Rock in and completed my set up of the field, albeit much later than usual into a fight.

Leap towards the light with Vine Whip! Talia said, making her pokemon leap up. Sanchez cried out as the other pokemon forced him to lose sight of her with the Sunny Day blinding him.

Thunder! Fill the Arena! Dont let them see you! I said. I felt myself grinning, if Mia and Silly Mouse were watching theyd recognise this move.

Sanchez blasted out an attack and suddenly everyone was blinded as the flash of lightning made it impossible to determine what was going on.

A thump landed close to Sanchez and Talia reacted. Use Leaf Blade and swing wide in an arc!

Dig! I said to evade the attack only for Sanchez to be much closer than either of us realised as he yelped in pain. I blinked through tears and saw him skidding backwards.

Again! Vine Whip!

Stone Edge! Fill the skies! I said making my pokemon blast upwards and nail the soaring Grass Type. Victreebel went down and stayed down this time. I grimaced. My plan hadnt played out like Id hoped but then again it didnt mean it wasnt a good one. Id just rolled dice against Talia and shed lucked out with how things played out.

She returned her pokemon and sent out Camerupt once more. The pokemon snorted in annoyance as the Stealth Rocks activated and slammed into his hide before glowering at Sanchez who shot some fists forward in readiness.

Stone Edge! I said to start things off.

Earthquake! Talia replied, making her pokemon endure the hits to take a heavy stomp that smashed into Sanchez. It proved too much as he fell to the side with a groan.

A cry went up from the crowd at his loss and I smiled. He still remained a crowd favourite it seemed. I tapped my fingers between two pokeballs and considered my choices. The ground was much more solid now thanks to Camerupt and I didnt want that pokemon running about for any longer.

I decided to knock it out now. Go Bertha!

Bertha appeared with a mighty roar. Talia huffed in annoyance.

Impact Driver! I said, committing to the move as I leaned forward.

Berthas horn and fingers spun up as she adopted her pose. Talia stiffened.

Camerupt! Earthquake! Take her out now! around Bertha the ground buckled and slammed into her but she merely grunted.

Talia hissed in annoyance. Fine! All or nothing! Camerupt use Fissure!

I hissed. Now or never Bertha! I said, forced to move at the threat of what could come my way.

Both pokemon moved. Camerupt with heavy stomp while Bertha dropped to the ground and threw her fist downwards.

For a moment there was stillness and it was only through instinct that I braced for impact.

A moment later the arena detonated as rocks and even scraps of metal exploded. The barriers blazed into the visible spectrum for a moment before I lost track of where up and down was. The world shook and I had to drop into a three point pose to stay upright.

When the attacks stopped it came just as suddenly and it took me a moment to realise it wasnt aftershocks but rather my own body shaking. I stood up and glanced around. The crowd were in shock but safe. The barriers were red but as I watched they slowly began to turn orange signifying they were out of the critical danger point of shattering and merely at ten percent functional strength. Across from me Talia was on her side. I was about to call out to her when she moved. She sat up and gaped at the field.

Woah she said. I glanced down and whistled. The arena was a torn-up wasteland with even some of the underlying metal that acted as a basement on how deep pokemon could go to evade attacks was visible in parts.

I knew from talking with and seeing it poured that the metal was another good fifty centimeters thick, or, in my old lifes terms, almost battleship hull thickness. I could see thin cuts along it where it had been affected, but it would take a lot more punishment yet.

Bertha was flat on her back with a content smile on her face while across from her Camerupt was likewise on his side. Both of them passed out from the attacks.

Woah, never had that happen before Talia said.

Its rare enough to get two pokemon that know such moves going against each other, let alone both pulling them off. Did you train yours to be more guaranteed? I asked.

She shook her head still staring, apparently shock was enough to make her forget her plan to not give away any information about herself. I hummed and nodded. So she really had rolled the dice. I was starting to get the idea that this girl wasnt afraid to take risks on chance plays.

Should we continue? she said, glancing at the barriers.

I hummed. They were becoming yellow now which meant they were at twenty five percent. Give them another few minutes. Lets return our pokemon yeah? That makes us both three down now. I eyed the field and saw that none of the Stealth Rocks had survived the clash of attacks which wasnt all that surprising but still a shame.

Talia stood up. Please! Youve shown five of your pokemon and I think we all know whos your last pokemon! I have answers for him!

I tilted my head and plucked the Greatball from my necklace. You think that do you?

She smirked and threw out a Poliwrath. I paused before smiling as she threw it right to the centre circle that was actually cut through the middle with a small canyon. I grinned, my mind unable to keep up with the sudden flash of insight I had.

She was confident she had answers, so why not let her have it.

Go Titan! I said releasing pokemon but instead of setting him up far away from a pokemon that on paper perfectly countered him I put him right in front of the Poliwrath and in the circle. Talia blinked in surprise before leering.

My pokemon had no room to move, and in a very tight space. Titan glowered at the Poliwrath that looked like Christmas had come early.

I felt both energies I had within me spiking as I synced with Titan. Quake, I said even as Titan lifted his tail and slammed it into the ground. Before Poliwrath could launch into the attack he stumbled and cried out, the ground attack worked well against him thanks to the fighting type.

Titan grabbed his foe before flipping it and throwing it into the fissure before Talia could order a water move. Poliwrath was thrown straight into the canyon where it rolled around to stand up and glower at Titan.

Titan looked down with a snort before raising a foot this time. Quake, I said once more. This time the move was particularly effective, as Poliwrath had no room to move.

Poliwrath was blasted out of the canyon and landed with a thump. It didnt struggle to rise and Talia stared at her downed pokemon.

The crowd fell silent for a moment before roaring to life,as I allowed myself a smile. Titans sandstorm ability had barely even started to come into effect before Id taken apart her answer to him.

People really didnt understand the significance of my owning a Poliwrath and how it made for the perfect training partner for Titan when he finally evolved. Id gone out of my way to catch a Poliwag. A water-fighting type? Please, I was more than aware of how to fight against that.

Talia returned her pokemon before throwing out another. Go Blastoise!

Her pokemon appeared, this time with a lot of space between them. She wasnt going to let Titan close it seemed. Hydro Pump! she barked, causing the cannons to level onto Titan.

Dig around a bit, I said. Titan dove into the ground and like a shark in water the spikes on his back stuck out. Above him, the Sandstorm whipped up into full strength and visibility died away.

Use Surf! Evade the oncoming attack and flood the field!

Titan dipped lower into the ground before lurching upwards. I knew what he was doing even without giving the command as he retreated to where Blastoise would be.

Then he got right in front of the wave in a leap that saw him dead centre of the crush point. Protect, I said before my pokemon had even stood upright. The defensive move resulted in Blastoise being ejected from the wave to tumble end over end on the part of the field Titan was on.

Titan dropped the Protect and whirled about like the predator he was. He stomped into the ground and once more the earth rumbled as he used Earthquake to make Blastoise totter and stumble.

Stone Edge, I said, making Titan keep his opponent off balance.

Protect! Talia said, making her pokemon turtle up fully.

Get in close and grapple, I said. Titan lurched forward and as the Protect shell dropped Blastoise suddenly found itself being grabbed up by my pokemon and lifted.

Skull Bash! ordered Talia. Blastoise drew his head in only for my pokemon to hurl it away and cause it to splash into the lagoon that had formed from the canyon in the aftermath of the Surf.

Stone Edge again, I said, causing the lagoon to suddenly become a much more dangerous space for her pokemon. The Sandstorm once more came into effect.

Hydro Pump! She said only for the attack to miss what her Blastoise was targeting, to be revealed as a large rock. Titan lunged out of the Sandstorm from another position like his instincts demanded of him and he knocked Blastoise out of the water and back onto dry land where it fell still.

The crowd erupted and began to chant his name like they had for him when I faced off against Lance.

TITAN! TITAN! TITAN!

Others started the stomp stomp clap and Talia glanced up as the crowd really made itself felt. Titan smiled as he slunk back into the now-reformed Sandstorm.

Talia let her hand wander before her expression firmed up. Lets go Machoke! she said, revealing her final pokemon. I paused at that reveal.

No psychic pokemon? She wasnt one of Wills plants? Or was he trying something else?

Machoke, use Detect to get through the Sandstorm!

Earthquake, was my response to make sure he didnt have an easy time of it. I could almost see Machoke leaping high into the sky to get to Titan despite that though. Leap back, I said. Titan hopped backwards and I made out his shape evading a pokemon that had slammed into place where hed been.

Bullet Punch! Talia said, committing to fighting in close.

I leaned forward, smelling the blood in the water. GO! I said. Titan threw himself into the attack and from close range he shrugged off the Steel type attack to slam into Machoke and send him flying with Giga-Impact.

Machoke hit the far wall where he slumped down. I let out a huge sigh of relief as Talia returned her pokemon and Jackson raised a flag.

Machoke is unable to battle! Brock and Titan are the victors!

I leaned slumped in relief as Titan dissipated the Sandstorm and threw his head back and roared his victory. When he was done the crowd stayed quiet before erupting in applause. Titan waved at them with a huge reptilian grin.

I started to lower the podiums only for it to lurch rather than glide down. I clicked my teeth. Looks like more than I had bargained for had been damaged when Camerupt and Bertha clashed.

I hopped over the side and approached Talia to shake her hand. She approached with a slight slump to her shoulders. Urgh! I had you! I totally almost had you!

I inclined my head. Yeah, you kinda did. Titan approached and smiled at Talia allowing me to pat him fondly. And then you didnt, I said as I smiled up at my starter.

Talia looked up at him. He really is a beast. Urgh, I thought I had it with Poliwrath. If only I could work out how to evolve my Machoke then Id break into the top fifty!

I hummed and tilted my head. Hmmm you havent been able to approach Kong about learning to evolve your Machoke?

Talia grimaced. I had to spar with him and Im not great at hand to hand so he didnt want to train me. And before you ask, Chuck is full up on apprentices. He had one graduate earlier and there was a huge fight to get the spot which I missed out on even challenging for.

I rubbed my chin in thought. Do you like surfing? That apprentice that graduated from Chucks Gym is around Kanto. Hes a real surfer nut by the name of Brawly. If you want, I could get you in contact.

Oh? That would be great! she said with a smile.

I nodded. Id be interested in what he makes of your Primeape.

Talia grimaced. I tried the way of peace training that so many people push for with Primeapes but he didnt respond well to it. He prefers to lash out and fight as much as he can. She rubbed the back of her head. Gonna have to have his favourite food out and ready when I take him to the nurse. Hes strong but you have to really work at him to get the most out of him, sometimes I dont think he cares if he dies when he fights.

I grimaced. It was a well-known cause of Primeape death, that their hearts gave out as their spirits demanded they keep fighting. Most people use a calming mind method of training them due to the risks of using wrath style fighting that came naturally to Primaeape.

Well youre managing him and looking after him. I said.

I then glanced to the side. I think Im going to have to get the base structure checked over and possibly repaired before I hold another match here. Might be onto the battlecourts for me for the rest of the day.

Talia glanced at it before giggling. Oh, Im sorry about that! She said as she surveyed the devastation. I waved it off before saying good bye to her.

I marched into the medical wing where Rocko and Jackson were waiting for me. I gave orders for them as they handed me an energy drink and a sandwich that I chowed down as Chansey went to work on my team.

All of them were worse for wear with only Titan having superficial injuries. Bertha was out for at least a week as were Sanchez and my Onix. I patted him. Next week buddy youre getting your metal coating alright?

He crooned happily at that and I grinned.

I leaned against the bed and sighed. Damn, that girl almost beat me, I said aloud.

Rocko chuckled. She wasnt sixty-second on the Ace leaderboard without reason Brock. You sure you wanted to help her get stronger?

Thats what Im supposed to do as a Gym Leader, I said.

Ah but as an Ace trainer, that shouldnt be what you think of.

I snorted and nodded, agreeing with him. Guess it just comes too naturally for me, I said, taking my last bite of my sandwich. When I was done I picked up where Id left off an earlier conversation, I think youre right by the way. We need to start taking less challenges and ease the load on the gym.

Rocko relaxed at that, adopting his more typical slouch. Good to hear, after next weeks break Im taking off, remember? Its for my leave with my little brother and sister. Give them two weeks of work on the road and get them some badges before we come back here.

I smiled. Ho? Not challenging here first? Where are you going first? I asked.

Rocko started talking and I listened in. I still had more matches to see to, but it was good to take some time. As Rocko had once said. You need to slow down sometimes. I couldnt wait for next week when I had some proper downtime.

Alexa walked in and grimaced when she saw me so relaxed with my pokemon. Brock, the Chief of Police is here. I groaned and stood up before my face hardened. Alexa shifted. He said hes here to apologise to you?

I blinked. Huh, well alright then. Looks like I wasnt going to have another issue to deal with.

Hows the next match looking?

Missy just beat them so you have another hour of free time before the next potential Gauntlet challenge.

Will wonders never cease, I said standing and checking over all of my pokemon before moving away. Lets see what the Chief of Police has to say for himself.

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